Introduction to Lower School

At St Catherine's School we are extremely proud of our children. High self-esteem, high standards and a love for learning go hand in hand and so we take a holistic approach to each child’s learning.

Our aim is to create reflective, independent, life-long learners. We have a commitment to developing the whole child and to develop each to be a global citizen.

Our school is a British school where the National Curriculum of England and Wales forms the core of the curriculum. The curriculum is then built up on to include local history and local geography studies as well as Modern Languages (French, Greek for Foreign learners, Greek for Bilingual and fluent speakers). We endeavour to make our curriculum as stimulating as possible. We ensure our children experience many out of school trips and extended learning opportunities. In addition, we ensure that children have learning opportunities through a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

The Lower School is organised into the following areas:

Early Years Foundation Stage which comprises Nursery 1, Nursery 2 and Reception classes. Children in this stage are 3 to 5 years old.

Key Stage 1, which comprises two year groups, Year 1 and Year 2. Children in this stage are 5 to 7 years old.

Key Stage 2, which comprises four year bands, Years 3 to 6. Children in Key Stage 2 are 7 to 11 years old.

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage are taught in small home groups with one key worker or early years’ practitioner to look after them and support them in their development of independence and skills. In the Reception year, the children are taught by a Reception teacher and an early years’ practitioner.

In Key Stages 1 and 2 children are taught by their class teacher for English, mathematics, science, art, design and technology, humanities and PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education). Specialist teachers take the classes for physical education, music, French (from Year 2) and Greek for bilingual or fluent speakers.

We believe that children learn best when they can make connections so we plan our curriculum around themes or topics with clear learning outcomes and a clear context for learning. Wherever possible, we connect learning to the wider world and help children to see the big picture.

We assess the children's learning continually and include the children in their own assessment through peer and self-assessment. We believe that children can learn through assessment and we embrace the principles of Assessment for Learning (AfL).

St. Catherine’s School takes great pride in its caring ethos. When you walk around our school you will feel its vibrancy and warmth. The Lower School main corridor and the classrooms tell the visitor about the values of the school - nurturing, lively, learning focussed and fun. It is a place that motivates and develops learning through creativity and critical thinking skills.

It is our aim to be an open, friendly and accessible school in which each child is valued and in which the highest standards in all areas are sought, a school which works in partnership with parents.